Spiritual oasis: ‘Year of Prayer’ a needed rest stop on journey to jubilee

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – With little fanfare, Pope Francis officially opened the Year of Prayer after Mass for the church’s celebration of Sunday of the Word of God. “Today we begin the Year of Prayer; that is, a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in personal life, in the …

National Eucharistic Revival gave rise to creative parish, diocesan efforts in 2023

(OSV News) – Armed with art supplies, Sister Alicia Torres recently invited young adults attending a Catholic conference near Milwaukee to create a self-portrait on paper, drawn inside a circle. The circle, she explained, represented the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist, each person better understands himself or herself as made in the image and likeness of …

Canon law must be part of church’s mission of mercy, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – All the Catholic Church’s structures, including tribunals and faculties of canon law, must undergo a “pastoral and missionary conversion” to ensure the church is giving the world “the only thing it needs: the Gospel of the mercy of Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote. “To be pastoral does not mean that the norms …

Williamsport Deanery holds 40 Hours Eucharistic celebration

WILLIAMSPORT – Calling it a “beautiful opportunity” to be in the presence of our Lord, Livia Schwartzman was one of many people who participated in a 40 Hours Eucharistic Celebration in the Williamsport Deanery at the end of October. “It is a perfect opportunity to be centered on Christ and to be fully united to …

Catholic educators receive Saint John Paul II Award for dedicated service

WILKES-BARRE – Three long-time educators in the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System were honored with the Saint John Paul II Award during the Diocesan Teachers’ Institute Mass on Sept. 25, 2023. Kimberly Art, April Ayres, and Brenda Quattrini were each presented the award for 25 years of dedicated service to Catholic education in the …

Diocesan Annual Appeal plays critical role in Catholic education

MOUNTAIN TOP – A new academic year is underway for thousands of Catholic school students across the Diocese of Scranton. As children and young adults return to their studies, they are returning to 19 schools that prioritize strong academic programs, a commitment to faith and a family-centered community where love and respect abound. At Saint …

U.S. Catholic schools see strong growth, forming children ‘who love Jesus Christ’

(OSV News) – As they open their doors for a new academic year, the nation’s Catholic schools are enjoying overall strong growth, along with a firm commitment to mission, experts told OSV News. “Our school system has grown two years in a row,” said Lincoln Snyder, president and CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association. …

Stewardship

“Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives.” -“Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response”, USCCB Stewardship is a disciple’s response — it is a way of putting our faith into practice. When we make a commitment to live as disciples and grow as good stewards, our …

‘Miraculous’ survival of Maui Catholic church seen as sign of hope amid wildfire destruction

HONOLULU (OSV News) – “For us, it’s like a miracle,” Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, the Honolulu Diocese’s vicar of Maui and Lanai, said about Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in the town of Lahaina being seemingly untouched by the fierce Maui wildfires Aug. 8-9. The blaze burned Lahaina to the ground in the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s …